Ernie Johnson to leave ‘Inside the NBA’ after 37 seasons
publishers 34articles 36first reported 28 Oct, 19:25 UTCdeveloping since 29 Oct · 4 editions
Ernie Johnson will step down as host of “Inside the NBA” at the end of the 2026-27 season, concluding a 37-season run on the basketball studio show.
Johnson, 70, announced the decision Wednesday in a video posted on social media. He said he was not pushed out and is not retiring, but is “just cutting back.” He plans to continue working, including on CBS and Turner Sports’ coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
“It’s just time,” Johnson said. “This is by no means the end. It’s just a turning of the page. And I’ll forever cherish every chapter we have written with ‘Inside the NBA.’”
Johnson cited recent heart issues and a desire to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren. He said he underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago. Earlier in his career, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and later missed broadcast duties because of blood clots in his legs.
Johnson joined “Inside the NBA” in 1990 and hosts alongside former NBA players Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. The program moved from Turner’s networks to ESPN and ABC in 2025. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro called Johnson “the heart” of the show and said the network would celebrate his contributions throughout the season.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 7 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 6 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
- 36
- Given to the writer
- 7, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 6 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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